Budding Journalists Build Skills at East Leeds Academy

Young people from East Leeds have been developing their journalism skills and learning how to tell the stories that matter to them.

Around ten Year 7 and 8 students from Leeds East Academy (LEA) took part in a six-week journalism programme delivered by East Side Story over the summer.

The programme, funded by Leeds City Council and The National Lottery, gave the budding journalists an introduction to the different skills involved in reporting and producing stories. Across the six weeks, students learned about writing, research, photography, podcasting and media law.

They practised interviewing each other and used their phones to create mini podcasts, giving them experience of asking questions and recording conversations. Students also discussed key topics in the news and used those conversations as inspiration to develop their own ideas for stories.

Accuracy and responsible reporting were an important part of the programme.

Participants learned about copyright and libel, alongside some of the basic principles involved in researching and writing an accurate news story. They also picked up their phones and experimented with photography and learned how pictures can be used alongside words to tell a story.

For Violet Cooper, who was in Year 8 at the time, that session was one of the programme’s most memorable moments. 

She said: “When we were practicing photography, some people did funny poses. Everyone was so happy and full of energy.”

Joyce Coles, 13, also enjoyed taking part in the sessions. She said: “I enjoyed everything because it is a really good club and it’s amazing in general.”

East Leeds Academy teacher Jade Lally said the sessions had been a success.

She said: “As LEA celebrates East Side Story Journalism Club I would like to thank the students who have chosen to participate with curious minds, explore and share stories. Every story told is an opportunity to learn and connect our community.”

Giving young people a platform

East Side Story was created to highlight constructive stories from across East Leeds and provide a platform for people living within its communities.

At the heart of the newspaper is the belief that local people should have opportunities to tell their own stories and contribute to how their communities are represented. But East Side Story aims to do more than simply report on the communities it serves.

Through its journalism workshops, the community newspaper wants to equip local people with practical skills and give them the confidence to make their voices heard.

Working with young people is an important part of that ambition. The sessions aim to introduce the next generation to journalism while encouraging them to think independently, ask questions and engage with what is happening around them.

Students were encouraged to explore subjects that interested them and to experiment with both journalistic and creative approaches. By the end of the six weeks, some had taken what they learned and produced their own stories and blogs.

Their chosen subjects ranged from road safety and artificial intelligence to addressing a serious incident within their local community.

Those pieces will be published separately by East Side Story, giving the young writers an opportunity to see their work presented to a wider audience.

Looking to the future

East Side Story hopes the programme will be the beginning of more opportunities for young people to explore journalism and develop their own voices.

Plans are being developed for further sessions with young people across East Leeds, with the potential for future work with East Leeds Academy.

The aim is to continue giving young people opportunities to learn new skills while creating a space where their ideas, interests and perspectives can be heard.

Groups and organisations interested in finding out more about East Side Story’s journalism workshops and how they could benefit the people they work with can contact editor@eastsidestory.co.uk.